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Sedge Wrens were found predominantly from the edge of the boreal forest southwards with observations tapering off to the south and west in the Mixed Grassland ecoregion. Sedge Wrens were absent north of Cree Lake, as well as in the Cypress Uplands. Mapping analysis highlights the Boreal Transition and Aspen Parkland as the core of their range in Saskatchewan, although their numbers in the grassland ecoregions were undoubtedly affected by drought conditions. In the boreal forest, Sedge Wrens were generally scarce north of the forest fringe, with the notable exception of the Gwillim and Mudjatik Rivers where they were regularly encountered on a paddling expedition.

Note: During all years of the Saskatchewan Breeding Bird Atlas drought conditions persisted and the Atlas range maps for all waterfowl, waterbirds, and wetland-associated species should be viewed as characteristic of distribution and abundance during dry conditions. Read the full drought statement here.

Excerpts Adapted from the Birds of Saskatchewan:

Two or three sharp, emphatic chips followed by a dry, chattered trill coming from wet sedgy meadow signal the presence of a Sedge Wren. The building of dummy nests is a hallmark of this species and the Marsh Wren; their purpose is uncertain, but it has been speculated that they are used to decoy predators. (Herkert et al. 2001). Sedge Wrens nest from central Alberta to Quebec south to Missouri and Illinois. Winter in the southeastern US and northeastern Mexico.

As its name suggests, the species is partial to sedge and to a lesser extent grass meadows. These include wet meadows and shallow marshes, generally underlain by mineral soils, or fens which have an organic layer of undecomposed plant material. Short shrubs, such as hoary willow, are frequently used as singing perches.

The Sedge Wren is a fairly common summer resident across the aspen parkland, the southern boreal forest and northern fringes of the grasslands (Smith 1996). During dry years its status shifts to uncommon. There are only a few sight records from the extreme southwest and from the northern boreal forest (Costigan Lake and Reindeer River).

Original text by Bob Godwin. Text adapted by Daniel J. Sawatzky

Read more about the Sedge Wren in the Birds of Saskatchewan here.

LeeAnn M. Latremouille

Recommended citation: Latremouille, L. M. 2025. Sedge Wren in Latremouille, L. M., S. L. Van Wilgenburg, C. B. Jardine, D. Lepage, A. R. Couturier, D. Evans, D. Iles, and K. L. Drake (eds.). 2025. The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Saskatchewan, 2017-2021. Birds Canada. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan https://sk.birdatlas.ca/accounts/speciesaccount.jsp?sp=SEWR&lang=en [16 Mar 2026]